Green leaf weevil

The Green leaf weevil (Polydrusus tereticollis) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. These beetles are relatively small, often displaying iridescent scales, and are commonly found in woodlands and managed fruit orchards throughout Europe and Asia.

The host range of this pest is quite broad, affecting numerous broad-leaved trees and shrubs. Fruit trees, including apple, pear, plum, and cherry, are particularly susceptible. It also thrives on forest species like birch, oak, and hazel, which act as reservoirs for the population to invade commercial orchards.

The lifecycle involves a subterranean stage for the larvae. The larvae hibernate in the soil, feeding on root systems of various plants. In the spring, they pupate, and the adult beetles emerge just in time for the bud-burst of fruit trees. This synchronization allows them to start feeding immediately on young, tender foliage.

Damage caused by Polydrusus tereticollis is characterized by leaf margins being eaten, resulting in a notched or shredded appearance. In cases of high infestation, they can consume developing buds and flowers entirely, severely impacting the tree's health and the overall yield of the season.

Management strategies focus on both physical and chemical interventions. Cultural practices, such as tilling the soil under the tree canopy, help reduce larval survival. Chemical control should be timed with the peak emergence of adults in early spring, utilizing targeted insecticide applications before the bloom stage to protect the pollinators.

• Regular inspection of foliage for notched leaf edges.
• Use of sticky traps for population monitoring.
• Application of contact insecticides during the pre-blossom phase.